Italy has announced the temporary suspension of the Schengen free travel arrangements with Spain, citing the recent surge of irregular border crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
Although Italy and Spain do not share a land border, the measure will affect travellers moving between the two countries by air and sea, with additional identity and border checks expected on flights and ferry routes.
Italy’s Interior Ministry said the decision was taken in response to growing concerns over migration pressures following the mass crossings into Ceuta, where thousands of migrants recently attempted to enter Spanish territory from neighbouring Morocco.
In a statement, the ministry also announced that Italy had reached an agreement with France to strengthen controls along the Franco Italian land border in an effort to prevent onward movement of irregular migrants across southern Europe.
The move comes amid heightened concern among several European governments over increasing migration flows along the Mediterranean and North African routes, and it marks one of the most significant recent restrictions affecting travel between two Schengen member states.
Italian officials said the measures are intended to reinforce border security while coordinating with European partners on managing the latest migration surge.